The Geelong Holiday Inn & Suites Royals Men’s Match Preview: Royals and Ballarat battle for crucial points in NPL3 showdown

Essendon Royals will take on Ballarat City FC in an NPL3 Round 8 match on Saturday, May 6, at Cross Keys Reserve in Melbourne. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm, following the Reserves game at 5 pm.

Both teams are desperate for a win, with the Royals and Ballarat sitting at the bottom of the NPL3 ladder after seven rounds. The Royals have played all but two of their games away from home this season, and coach Mick Ferrante will be eager to see his side build on their last home game, a 1-0 win over Beaumaris.

On the other hand, Ballarat City FC has also had a tough start to the season and will be looking to improve after back-to-back losses in their last two games. Key players Kenta Futami and Yushiro Shiomi, who have each scored three goals this season, will be aiming to lead their side to victory.

The Royals and Ballarat both possess quality players and will be determined to secure a much-needed three points. The match promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams set to leave everything on the field in pursuit of a win.

Neither side has a stellar defensive record this season, however Ballarat has conceded 20 goals across seven games and is yet to post a win. The Royals on the other hand have four points.

Whilst the season has not got off to the start the Royals will have envisioned, there remains many games to play and the teams directly above them remain within three to six points.

With both teams in desperate need of a win, the match promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair. Royals will be hoping to build on their home advantage and the momentum from their last win, while Ballarat will be determined to bounce back from their recent defeats. It’s a must-win clash for both sides, and the battle for crucial points is set to be intense.